View source for Ed Koch

{{Short description|Mayor of New York City from 1978 to 1989}}
{{redirect|Edward Koch|the Australian medical practitioner known for his research of malaria|Edward Albert Koch}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name                = Ed Koch
| image               = Edward Koch (1988).jpg
| caption             = Koch in 1988
| order               = 105th
| office              = Mayor of New York City
| term_start          = January 1, 1978
| term_end            = December 31, 1989
| predecessor         = [[Abraham Beame]]
| successor           = [[David Dinkins]]
| office1             = Member of the<br/>[[United States House of Representatives|U.S. House of Representatives]]<br/>from [[New York (state)|New York]]
| constituency1       = {{ubl|{{ushr|NY|17|17th district}} (1969–1973)|{{ushr|NY|18|18th district}} (1973–1977)}}
| term_start1         = January 3, 1969
| term_end1           = December 31, 1977
| predecessor1        = [[Theodore R. Kupferman|Theodore Kupferman]]
| successor1          = [[Bill Green (New York politician)|Bill Green]]
| office2             = Member of the [[New York City Council]]<br />from the [[New York City's 2nd City Council district|2nd]] district
| term_start2         = January 1, 1967
| term_end2           = January 3, 1969
| predecessor2        = Woodward Kingman
| successor2          = [[Carol Greitzer]]
| birth_name          = Edward Irving Koch
| birth_date          = {{birth date|1924|12|12}}
| birth_place         = New York City, U.S.
| death_date          = {{death date and age|2013|2|1|1924|12|12}}
| death_place         = New York City, U.S.
| party               = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| education           = {{ubl|{{avoid wrap|[[City College of New York]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])}}|[[New York University School of Law|New York University]] ([[Bachelor of Laws|LLB]])}}
| signature           = Ed Koch signature.png
| allegiance          = <!-- United States; obvious -->
| branch              = [[United States Army]]
| serviceyears        = 1943–1946
| rank                = [[Sergeant]]
| unit                = [[104th Infantry Division (United States)|104th Infantry Division]]
| battles             = {{Tree list}}
* World War II
** [[Battle of Hürtgen Forest]]
** [[Battle of the Bulge]]
{{Tree list/end}}
| mawards             = {{ubl|[[Combat Infantryman Badge]]|[[European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal|European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal]]|[[World War II Victory Medal]]}}
| relations           = [[Pat Koch Thaler]] (sister)
}}
'''Edward Irving Koch''' ({{IPAc-en|k|ɒ|tʃ}} {{respell|KOTCH}};<ref>{{cite web |url=http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/koch |title=Koch |website=[[Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary]] |access-date=March 28, 2021}}</ref> December 12, 1924{{spaced ndash}}February 1, 2013) was an American politician who served in the [[United States House of Representatives]] from 1969 to 1977 and was [[mayor of New York City]] from 1978 to 1989. A popular figure, Koch rode the [[New York City Subway]] and stood at street corners greeting passersby with the slogan "How'm I doin'?"<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://newsfeed.time.com/2013/02/01/new-york-city-mayor-ed-koch-from-times-archives/ |title=New York City Mayor Ed Koch: From Time's Archives |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |access-date=October 15, 2014 |date=February 1, 2013}}</ref> He was a lifelong bachelor, had no children, and did not disclose his sexuality during his lifetime.<ref name = NYT22>{{cite news |last1=Flegenheimer|first1=Matt|last2=Goldensohn|first2=Rosa|date=May 7, 2022 |title=The Secrets Ed Koch Carried |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/07/nyregion/ed-koch-gay-secrets.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220507133053/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/07/nyregion/ed-koch-gay-secrets.html |archive-date=May 7, 2022 |access-date=May 7, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>

Koch was a lifelong [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] who described himself as a "liberal with sanity".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nysun.com/new-york/mayor-koch-self-proclaimed-liberal-with-sanity/88177/|title=Mayor Koch, Self-Proclaimed 'Liberal With Sanity' Who Led New York From Fiscal Crisis, Is Dead at 88|work=The New York Sun|access-date=October 21, 2016}}</ref> The author of an ambitious public housing renewal program in his later years as mayor, he began by cutting spending and taxes and cutting 7,000 employees from the city payroll. He was the city's second [[Jews in New York City|Jewish]] mayor after his predecessor [[Abraham Beame]].{{efn|Some consider [[Fiorello LaGuardia]] to be New York City's first Jewish mayor since his mother was a non-practicing Jew, although LaGuardia himself practiced [[Episcopalianism]].<ref name="r086">{{cite web | title='The Great Mayor' | website=The New York Times | date=2003-06-29 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/29/books/chapters/the-great-mayor.html | access-date=2024-10-13}}</ref><ref name="u474">{{cite web | last=Green | first=David B. | title=1973: A Jewish Mayor for New York City | website=Haaretz.com | date=2012-11-06 | url=https://www.haaretz.com/jewish/2012-11-06/ty-article/1973-new-york-gets-a-jewish-mayor/0000017f-e959-d639-af7f-e9df47260000 | access-date=2024-10-13}}</ref>}} He crossed party lines to endorse [[Rudy Giuliani]] for mayor of New York City in 1993, [[Al D'Amato]] for Senate in 1998, [[Michael Bloomberg]] for mayor of New York City in 2001, and [[George W. Bush]] for president in 2004.<ref name="NYSunObit">{{cite news |title=Mayor Koch, Self-Proclaimed 'Liberal With Sanity' Who Led New York From Fiscal Crisis, Is Dead at 88 |first=Benjamin |last=Smith |work=[[New York Sun]] |date=February 1, 2013 |url=http://www.nysun.com/new-york/mayor-koch-self-proclaimed-liberal-with-sanity/88177/}}</ref>

Koch was first elected mayor of New York City in [[1977 New York City mayoral election|1977]] and was re-elected in [[1981 New York City mayoral election|1981]] with 75% of the vote. He was the first New York City mayor to win endorsement on both the Democratic and Republican party tickets. In [[1985 New York City mayoral election|1985]], Koch was elected to a third term with 78% of the vote. His third term was fraught with scandal regarding political associates (although the scandal never touched him personally) and with racial tensions, including the killings of [[Howard Beach incident|Michael Griffith]] and [[Yusuf Hawkins]]. In a close race, Koch lost the [[1989 New York City mayoral election|1989]] Democratic primary to his successor, [[David Dinkins]].<ref name="NYSunObit" />
{{TOC limit|3}}

== Early life ==
Koch was born in the [[Crotona Park East]] section of [[the Bronx]] in New York City,<ref name="congress bio"/> the son of Yetta (or Joyce,<ref name=Census>{{cite web |title=1940 US Federal Census |url=http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&db=1940usfedcen&rank=1&new=1&MSAV=0&msT=1&gss=angs-d&gsfn=Edward+Isadore&gsln=Koch&msbdy=1924&msbpn__ftp=Bronx+County%2c+New+York%2c+USA&msbpn=378&msbpn_PInfo=7-%7c0%7c1652393%7c0%7c2%7c3244%7c35%7c1652382%7c378%7c0%7c0%7c&msrpn__ftp=Newark%2c+Essex%2c+New+Jersey%2c+USA&msydy=1940&msypn__ftp=+Newark%2c+Essex%2c+New+Jersey%2c+USA&msfng0=Louis&msfns0=Koch&dbOnly=_83004006-n%7c_83004006-n_x%2c_83004005-n%7c_83004005-n_x%2c_F0006AB0%7c_F0006AB0_x%2c_F000686E%7c_F000686E_x%2c_F0007256%7c_F0007256_x%2c_F0007257%7c_F0007257_x%2c_F0007258%7c_F0007258_x&uidh=y52&_83004003-n_xcl=f&pcat=35&fh=0&h=136396755&recoff= |publisher=Ancestry.com |access-date=February 5, 2013}}</ref> née Silpe) and Louis (Leib) Koch, [[Polish-Jewish]] immigrants from [[Kozliv]] and Uścieczko ([[Ustechko, Chortkiv Raion, Ternopil Oblast|Ustechko]]) in [[Eastern Galicia]], both located in [[Ternopil Oblast]] in western [[Ukraine]].<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ACTF56SnaykC&q=Yetta+Silpe+Louis+Koch&pg=PA259 |title=The Jews of Capitol Hill: A Compendium of Jewish Congressional Members&nbsp;– Kurt F. Stone&nbsp;– Google Books |date=December 29, 2010 |access-date=May 12, 2014 |isbn=9780810877382|last1=Stone |first1=Kurt F. |publisher=Scarecrow Press }}</ref> He came from a family of [[Conservative Jewish|Conservative Jews]] who resided in [[Newark, New Jersey]], where his father worked at a theater. As a child, he worked as a [[:wiktionary:hatcheck|hatcheck]] boy in a Newark dance hall.<ref>{{cite book|title=New Jersey Trivia |year=1993 |publisher=Rutledge Hill Press |isbn=1-55853-223-4 |page=[https://archive.org/details/newjerseytrivia00alme/page/74 74] |url=https://archive.org/details/newjerseytrivia00alme/page/74 }}</ref> He graduated from [[Malcolm X Shabazz High School|South Side High School]] in Newark in 1941.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Ultimate New Jersey High School Yearbook |date=June 27, 1999 |publisher=The Star Ledger}}</ref>

== World War II ==
In 1943, Koch was drafted into the [[United States Army]].<ref name="NARA WWII Enlistment Records&nbsp;– Ed Koch">{{cite web |url=https://aad.archives.gov/aad/record-detail.jsp?dt=893&mtch=1&cat=WR26&tf=F&sc=24994,24995,24996,24998,24997,24993,24981,24983&bc=,sl,fd&txt_24995=koch%23edward%23i&op_24995=0&nfo_24995=V,24,1900&cl_24996=23&op_24996=null&nfo_24996=V,2,1900&txt_24993=43&op_24993=0&nfo_24993=V,2,1900&txt_24983=24&op_24983=0&nfo_24983=V,2,1900&rpp=10&pg=1&rid=3391761 |title=NARA WWII Enlistment Records&nbsp;– Koch Edward I |publisher=[[U.S. National Archives and Records Administration]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=August 8, 2017|title=HeroVet: Ed Koch, Late Mayor of NYC, and WWII Veteran|url=https://www.veteransadvantage.com/blog/veterans-advantage-awards/herovet-ed-koch-late-mayor-nyc-and-wwii-veteran|access-date=February 9, 2022|website=Veterans Advantage|language=en}}</ref> Koch did his basic training at [[Camp Croft, South Carolina|Camp Croft]], South Carolina, in 1943 before entering the [[Army Specialized Training Program]].<ref>{{cite journal | url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/26304217 | jstor=26304217 | title=Birth and Death of the Army Specialized Training Program | last1=Keefer | first1=Louis E. | journal=Army History | year=1995 | issue=33 | pages=1–7 }}</ref> He then joined the [[104th Infantry Division (United States)|104th Infantry Division]]. On 27 August 1944, he departed New York City, landing in [[Cherbourg]], France, on 7 September 1944. He earned a [[European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal]] with two [[campaign stars]], a [[World War II Victory Medal]], and the [[Combat Infantryman Badge]] for service in the [[European Theater of Operations]]. After V-E Day, because he could speak German, Koch was sent to [[Bavaria]] to help remove Nazi public officials from their jobs and find non-Nazis to take their place. He was honorably discharged with the rank of sergeant in 1946.<ref name="congress bio">{{cite web |url=http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=K000302 |title=Koch, Edward Irving&nbsp;– Biographical Information |access-date=November 11, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Saxena |first=Jaya |title=behindthescenes.nyhistory.org |url=http://behindthescenes.nyhistory.org/mayor-ed-koch-speaks-at-wwii-nyc-opening-reception/ |work=Mayor Ed Koch Speaks at WWII & NYC Opening Reception |date=October 11, 2012 |access-date=February 8, 2013}}</ref>

== Post-World War II ==
Koch returned to New York City to attend [[City College of New York]], graduating in 1945, and [[New York University School of Law]], receiving his law degree in 1948. Koch was a [[sole practitioner]] from 1949 to 1964, and a partner with Koch, Lankenau, Schwartz & Kovner from 1965 to 1968. A [[New York Democratic Party|Democrat]], he became active in New York City politics as a reformer and opponent of [[Carmine DeSapio]] and [[Tammany Hall]]. In 1962 Koch ran for office for the first time, unsuccessfully opposing incumbent William Passannante, a DeSapio ally, for the Democratic nomination for the [[New York State Assembly|State Assembly]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Prial|first=Frank J.|date=September 20, 1977|title=Koch Celebrates Victory Briefly. And Then Be gins Running Again|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1977/09/20/archives/koch-celebrates-victory-briefly-and-then-begins-running-again-koch.html|access-date=February 9, 2022|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

In 1963, Koch defeated DeSapio for the position of Democratic Party leader for the district which included [[Greenwich Village]], and Koch won again in a 1965 rematch.<ref>{{cite web |last=Ortega |first=Tony |website=Village Voice |url=http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/2009/10/clip_job_koch_f.php |title=Ed Koch Finally Slays Carmine DeSapio For Good |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130207135350/http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/2009/10/clip_job_koch_f.php |archive-date=February 7, 2013 |date=October 19, 2009 |orig-date=September 23, 1965}}</ref> Koch served on the [[New York City Council]] from 1967 to 1969.<ref>{{cite web |website=Bryan Cave, LLP |url=http://www.bryancave.com/eikoch/ |title=Partner biography, Ed Koch |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120102012725/http://www.bryancave.com/eikoch/ |archive-date=January 2, 2012 |access-date=March 28, 2021}}</ref>

== Career ==

=== Elections ===
==== 1968 ====

Koch ran for Congress in [[New York's 17th congressional district]] after Republican [[Theodore Roosevelt Kupferman]] retired. He defeated Republican [[Whitney Seymour Jr.]] and Conservative Richard J. Callahan, who partly split the conservative vote.<ref>{{Cite news|last=McFadden|first=Robert D.|date=June 30, 2019|title=Whitney North Seymour Jr., Former U.S. Prosecutor Who Fought Corruption, Dies at 95|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/29/obituaries/whitney-north-seymour-jr-dead.html|access-date=February 9, 2022|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> He won 48.5% of the vote to Seymour's 45.6% and Callahan's 5.9%.

==== 1970 ====

Koch was reelected with 62% of the vote, defeating Republican Peter J. Sprague and Conservative Callahan who finished with 32% and 6%, respectively.<ref>{{Cite news|date=October 31, 1970|title=Koch Faces Novel Challenge in Silk Stocking District|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1970/10/31/archives/koch-faces-novel-challenge-in-silk-stocking-district.html|access-date=February 9, 2022|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

==== 1972 ====

In advance of the 1972 elections, Koch was redistricted into the [[New York's 18th congressional district|18th district]]. He defeated Republican Jane Pickens Langley and Socialist Workers nominee Rebecca Finch, 70%&ndash;29%&ndash;1%.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|date=August 10, 2017|title=The Pickens Sisters: Singers of High Society|url=https://travsd.wordpress.com/2017/08/10/the-pickens-sisters-singers-of-high-society/|access-date=February 9, 2022|website=(Travalanche)|language=en}}</ref>

==== 1973 ====
{{See also|1973 New York City mayoral election}}
Koch briefly ran for mayor in 1973, but garnered little support and dropped out before the Democratic primary. He threw his support to State Assemblyman [[Albert H. Blumenthal]], but Blumenthal's bid was derailed by a scandal and he came in third.<ref>{{cite web|title=New York's colorful, feisty former Mayor Edward I. Koch dies|url=http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2013/02/01/New-Yorks-Hizzoner-Edward-I-Koch-dies/UPI-60711359723094?dailybrief|access-date=May 12, 2014|work=United Press International}}</ref> Comptroller [[Abraham Beame]] won the election.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Chen |first1=David W. |last2=Thee-Brenan |first2=Megan |date=October 28, 2013 |title=De Blasio in Position to Win Mayor's Race by Historic Margin, Poll Shows |pages=A1 |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1815039529 |access-date=May 18, 2022|id={{ProQuest|1815039529}} }}</ref>

==== 1974 ====

Koch won reelection (with career-best 76.7% of the vote) to the 18th district against John Boogaerts Jr. (Republican, 18.8%), Gilliam M. Drummond (Conservative, 3.7%), and Katherine Sojourner ([[Socialist Workers Party (United States)|Socialist Workers]], 0.8%).<ref>{{Cite news|last=Buckley|first=Tom|date=October 28, 1974|title=Manhattan Democrats Face Easy Congressional Rapes|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1974/10/28/archives/manhattandemocratsface-easy-congressional-races-mrs-abzug-koch-and.html|access-date=February 9, 2022|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

==== 1976 ====

Koch was again reelected, this time with 75.7% of the vote, defeating Sonia Landau (Republican, 20.1%), and James W. McConnell (Conservative, 4.3%).<ref>{{Cite news|last=Romano|first=Lois|date=December 12, 1984|title=Sonia Landau, At the Controls|language=en-US|newspaper=Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1984/12/12/sonia-landau-at-the-controls/28f40250-429f-49f9-b1f2-7ec63fd26566/|access-date=February 9, 2022|issn=0190-8286}}</ref>

==== 1977 ====
{{See also|1977 New York City mayoral election}}
Koch announced his campaign for mayor of New York City against incumbent Beame. Koch and future governor [[Mario Cuomo]] finished first (19.8%) and second (18.7%) in the Democratic primary, eliminating Beame (18%). In a runoff, Koch defeated Cuomo, 55%-45%. In the general election, Koch again defeated Cuomo, who ran on the [[Liberal Party of New York|Liberal Party]] ticket, 50% to 41%.

Koch ran to the right of the other candidates on a "[[law and order (politics)|law and order]]" platform. According to historian Jonathan Mahler, the [[New York City blackout of 1977|New York City blackout of July 1977]] and the subsequent rioting helped catapult Koch and his message of restoring public safety to front-runner status.<ref>{{cite web|date=May 9, 2005|title=That 70's Show|url=http://www.gothamgazette.com/article//20050509/202/1407|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320014002/http://www.gothamgazette.com/article//20050509/202/1407|archive-date=March 20, 2012|website=Gotham Gazette}}</ref>

==== 1981 ====
{{See also|1981 New York City mayoral election}}
Koch won both the Democratic and Republican nominations and appeared on the ballot with both of their lines. He faced opposition only from third parties. He won 74.6% of the vote, with Unity candidate [[Frank Barbaro]] netting next-best 13.3%. John A. Esposito (Conservative) and Mary T. Codd (Liberal) also ran.<ref>Wayne, Stephen (2008). ''Parties and Elections in America: The Electoral Process Fifth Edition''. [[Rowman & Littlefield]].</ref> Koch swept all five boroughs by landslide margins, breaking 60% of the vote in [[Manhattan]] and 70% in [[Brooklyn]], [[the Bronx]], [[Queens]] and [[Staten Island]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=McFadden |first=Robert D. |date=February 2, 2013 |title=Ed Koch, 88, irrepressible ex-mayor of New York |pages=5 |work=International Herald Tribune |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1283358254 |access-date=May 18, 2022|id={{ProQuest|1283358254}} }}</ref>

==== 1982 ====
{{see also|1982 New York gubernatorial election}}
After incumbent [[Hugh Carey]] announced he would not run for reelection, Koch announced his candidacy for governor of New York. Cuomo, who had been elected lieutenant governor, also ran. Koch received the party's endorsement with 61% of the convention vote, but Cuomo won the Democratic primary. ''The New York Times'' called Cuomo's victory a "stunning upset" that relied on "an unusual coalition of liberal Democrats, labor, minorities and upstaters". Koch ran strongly in Jewish communities, while Cuomo won black, liberal, and Italian communities by a similar margin. A key to Cuomo's victory was his strong showing in New York City itself; though Koch won the city and its four suburban counties (Rockland, Westchester, Suffolk, and Nassau) as expected, Cuomo kept the margin close and won half of the city's Assembly districts. That, combined with large victories in nearly every upstate county, allowed Cuomo to win. Koch endorsed Cuomo immediately, declaring "what's important to all of us is that we keep a Democrat in Albany."<ref>{{Cite news|last=Lynn|first=Frank|date=September 24, 1982|title=Cuomo Beats Koch in Democratic Primary; Leherman, Moynihan And; Mrs. Sullivan Win|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/09/24/nyregion/cuomo-beats-koch-in-democratic-primary-leherman-moynihan-and-mrs-sullivan-win.html|access-date=February 9, 2022|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> During the campaign, cropped up posters which mocking Koch's sexuality which written “Vote Cuomo not the Homo” circulated.<ref>{{cite web |last=Haberman |first=Maggie |title=Koch, embodiment of NYC, dies at 88 |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2013/02/ed-koch-dies-at-88-087068 |archive-url=https://archive.ph/kaNlv |publisher=Politico |date=2013-02-01 |access-date=2025-11-17}}</ref> Many say the deciding factor in Koch's loss was an interview with ''[[Playboy]]'' magazine in which he critiqued the lifestyle of suburbia. Koch's remarks are thought to have alienated many voters from outside New York City.<ref>{{Cite web|last=LoGiurato|first=Brett|title=In An Interview With Playboy, Ed Koch Delivered A Famous Line About The Hell Of Living In The Suburbs|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/ed-koch-dead-dies-playboy-interview-suburbs-wasting-life-2013-2|access-date=February 9, 2022|website=Business Insider|language=en-US}}</ref> Cuomo was elected governor over Republican [[Lewis Lehrman]], and served three terms.

==== 1985 ====
{{See also|1985 New York City mayoral election}}
Koch was reelected to a third term in a landslide. He defeated Carol Bellamy (Liberal) and Dian McGrath (Republican/Conservative), 78%-10%-9%, respectively, and was sworn into his third and final term in January 1986. As of 2021, this is the most recent mayoral election in which a Democrat carried Staten Island.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lambert |first=Bruce Jr. |date=November 6, 1985 |title=Election '85: Koch Wins 3rd Term in a Walk; Voters Hand Dinkins, Goldin And Stein Expected Victories |pages=3 |work=Newsday |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/285247038 |access-date=May 18, 2022|id={{ProQuest|285247038}} }}</ref> During the campaign, Koch visited the Lubavitcher Rabbi [[Menachem Mendel Schneerson]], seeking his blessing and endorsement.<ref>Ehrlich, M. Avrum, The Messiah of Brooklyn: Understanding Lubavitch Hasidim Past and Present, (KTAV Publishing, January 2005) p. 109. {{ISBN|0-88125-836-9}}</ref>

==== 1989 ====
{{See also|1989 New York City mayoral election}}
Koch ran for an unprecedented fourth term in 1989. No mayor had ever won a fourth term, though [[Fiorello La Guardia]] and [[Robert F. Wagner Jr.|Robert Wagner]] also served three terms, and Wagner attempted to run for a fourth in [[1969 New York City mayoral election|1969]]. Koch lost the Democratic primary to Manhattan Borough President [[David Dinkins]], who finished with 547,901 votes to Koch's 456,313. Dinkins was helped in part by large margins in Manhattan, the Bronx, and Brooklyn, while Koch carried Staten Island and Queens.<ref>{{Cite web|title=KOCH LOSES N.Y. PRIMARY TO DINKINS|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1989-09-13-8901120549-story.html|access-date=February 9, 2022|website=Chicago Tribune|date=September 13, 1989 |language=en}}</ref> Dinkins defeated [[Rudy Giuliani]] in the general election by a narrow margin, with Giuliani carrying both counties Koch won in the primary. Giuliani won a rematch against Dinkins in [[1993 New York City mayoral election|1993]].

=== U.S. congressional tenure ===
[[File:Ed Koch 95th congress.jpg|thumb|Koch served in the [[United States House of Representatives]] from 1969 to 1977.]]

Koch was the Democratic U.S. Representative from [[New York's 17th congressional district]] from January 3, 1969, until January 3, 1973, when, after a redistricting, he represented [[New York's 18th congressional district]] until December 31, 1977, when he resigned to become Mayor of New York City.<ref name="columbia">{{cite web |url=http://www.columbia.edu/cu/lweb/digital/collections/nny/koche/profile.html |title=Edward Koch |website=Columbia University Libraries Oral History Research Office |access-date=March 28, 2021}}</ref>

Koch said he began his political career as "just a plain liberal", with positions including opposing the [[Vietnam War]] and marching in the South for civil rights.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.gothamgazette.com/article//20051114/202/1652 |title=Ed Koch's Legacy |work=Gotham Gazette |date=November 14, 2005 |access-date=July 15, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070427090825/http://www.gothamgazette.com/article//20030602/4/408 |archive-date=April 27, 2007 }}</ref> In April 1973, Koch coined the term "[[Watergate Seven]]" when, in response to U.S. Senator [[Lowell P. Weicker Jr.]]'s indicating that one of the men in [[Watergate scandal]] had been ordered in the spring of 1972 to keep certain senators and representatives under surveillance, he posted a sign on his office door reading, "These premises were surveilled by the Watergate Seven. Watch yourself".<ref>{{cite news |last=Madden |first=Richard L. |page=19 |newspaper=The New York Times |date=April 7, 1973 |title=Javits Picks a Campaign Team, Citing the Need to Think Ahead; Votes in Congress This Week's Tally for Metropolitan Area Senate House |access-date=July 5, 2012 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1973/04/07/archives/javits-picks-a-campaign-team-citing-the-need-to-think-ahead-votes.html}}</ref> At about the same time, Koch began his rightward shift toward being a "liberal with sanity" after reviewing the 1973 controversy around then-New York City Mayor [[John Lindsay]]'s attempt to place a 3,000-person [[housing project]] in a middle-class community in [[Forest Hills, Queens]]. Koch met with residents of the community, most of whom were against the proposal. He was convinced by their arguments, and spoke out against the plan, shocking some of his liberal allies.<ref>{{cite book|last=Vincent Cannato|title=The Ungovernable City|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Upv5ezVPBOMC&pg=PA511|year=2009|publisher=Basic Books|page=511|isbn=9780786749935}}</ref>

Koch was active in advocating for a greater U.S. role in advancing human rights within the context of fighting Communism. He had particular influence in the foreign aid budget, as he sat on the [[United States House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs|House Appropriations Subcommittee on Foreign Operations]]. In 1976, Koch proposed that the U.S. cut off military aid and supplies to the [[civic-military dictatorship of Uruguay|military dictatorship]] of Uruguay. In mid-July 1976, the [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] learned that two high-level Uruguayan intelligence officers had discussed a possible assassination attempt on Koch by [[Dirección de Inteligencia Nacional]] (DINA), the Chilean [[secret police]] under dictator [[Augusto Pinochet]]. The CIA did not regard these threats as credible until after the September 1976 [[assassination of Orlando Letelier]] in Washington, D.C., by DINA agents coordinated by [[Operation Condor]]. After that, [[Director of Central Intelligence]] [[George H. W. Bush]] informed Koch of the threat. Koch subsequently asked both the CIA and the [[Federal Bureau Investigation|FBI]] for protection, but none was extended.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ed Koch Threatened with Assassination |work=The National Security Archives |publisher=George Washington University |access-date=May 4, 2009 |url=http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB112/}}</ref>

=== Tenure as mayor of New York City ===
==== First term ====
[[File:President Ronald Reagan presenting New York leaders with a check for Westway Project Funds.jpg|thumb|right|President [[Ronald Reagan]] presenting Ed Koch and other New York leaders, including Governor [[Mario Cuomo]], with a check for Westway Project Funds, September 1981]]

When Koch entered office the city was facing multiple serious issues. The city was in financial crisis, crime rates were soaring, and the city was still recovering from a [[New York City blackout of 1977|major blackout]] and looting. Koch instituted austerity measures which put the city on better financial foundations for his second term.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ed Koch {{!}} Biography, Mayor, & Facts {{!}} Britannica|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ed-Koch|access-date=February 9, 2022|website=Bitannica.com|language=en}}</ref>

During his first term as mayor, which many consider his best, a number of major events occurred in New York City. [[John Lennon]]'s abrupt assassination sent shock waves around the world. Grief-stricken New Yorkers walked the streets openly crying for days after the shooting, which took place in front of [[The Dakota]], Lennon's place of residence on Manhattan's Upper West Side.<ref>{{Cite web|date=January 15, 2015|title=Biggest New York Events Of The 1980s|url=https://newyork.cbslocal.com/top-lists/biggest-new-york-events-of-the-1980s/|access-date=February 9, 2022|language=en-US}}</ref> Koch also dealt with the [[1980 New York City transit strike|second transit strike]], and pushed for the 1980 Democratic National Convention to be in NYC.<ref>{{Cite news|date=June 29, 1979|title=Democrats Pick New York for 1980 Convention|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1979/06/29/democrats-pick-new-york-for-1980-convention/6c652210-1682-43d5-aea7-733ebc4503ff/|access-date=February 9, 2022|newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref> His first term also saw a sister city relationship begin with Beijing.

==== Second term ====
[[File:New York mayor Ed Koch.jpg|thumb|Koch giving interview to [[WABC-TV]] in 1981]]
Among the events of Koch's second term as mayor were the [[Brooklyn Bridge]]'s 100th anniversary, the appointing of [[Benjamin Ward]] as the city's first ever African American [[police commissioner]] in 1983, the emergence of AIDS as a public health crisis, extensive media coverage of [[Bernhard Goetz]]'s shooting of four African American teenagers in the subway in 1984, and the United Nations' 40th anniversary.<ref name="New York City Back in the 1980s">{{Cite web|title=New York City Back in the 1980s|url=https://greatfuturestories.com/get-inspired-in-new-york/2017/11/13/new-york-city-back-in-the-1980s|access-date=February 9, 2022|website=GREAT FUTURE STORIES|date=November 17, 2019|language=en-US|archive-date=February 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220209205053/https://greatfuturestories.com/get-inspired-in-new-york/2017/11/13/new-york-city-back-in-the-1980s|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Koch often deviated from the conventional liberal line, strongly supporting the death penalty, adding 3,500 officers to the NYPD in the 1980s,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.istat.it/istat/eventi/2003/perunasocieta/relazioni/Langan_rel.pdf |title=The Remarkable Drop in Crime in New York City |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215053748/http://www.istat.it/istat/eventi/2003/perunasocieta/relazioni/Langan_rel.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 15, 2009|date=October 21, 2004}}</ref> and taking a hard line on "[[quality of life]]" issues, such as giving police broader powers in dealing with the homeless and signing legislation banning the playing of radios on subways and buses. These positions prompted harsh criticism from the local chapter of the [[American Civil Liberties Union]] and many African-American leaders, particularly Reverend [[Al Sharpton]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Chung|first=Jen|date=February 1, 2013|title=Sharpton On Koch: "We Argued About Everything" But He Was "Never A Phony Or A Hypocrite"|url=https://gothamist.com/|access-date=February 9, 2022|website=Gothamist|language=en}}</ref>

In 1984, Koch published his first memoir, ''Mayor'', which became a best-seller and was adapted into an [[off-Broadway]] and later [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] musical, ''[[Mayor (musical)|Mayor]]''.{{citation needed|date=March 2024}}

==== Third term ====
In 1986, Koch signed a lesbian and gay rights ordinance for the city after the City Council passed the measure (on March 20), after 15 years of failed attempts by that body to approve such legislation. Despite his overall pro-lesbian and pro-gay-rights stance, he nonetheless backed up the [[New York City Health Department]]'s decision to shut down the city's [[gay bathhouse]]s in 1985 in response to concerns over the spread of AIDS. The enactment of the measure the next year placed the city in a dilemma, as it apparently meant that the bathhouses would have to be reopened because many heterosexual "sex clubs"{{spaced ndash}}such as [[Plato's Retreat]]{{spaced ndash}}were in operation in the city at the time, and allowing them to remain open while keeping the bathhouses shuttered would have been a violation of the newly adopted anti-discrimination law. The Health Department, with Koch's approval, reacted by ordering the heterosexual clubs, including Plato's Retreat, to close as well. Also in 1986, Koch participated in [[Hands Across America]] and in the [[Statue of Liberty]]'s 100th anniversary celebration. Koch's third term was also marked by the career-ending face-slashing of model [[Marla Hanson]], the paralyzing shooting of NYCPD detective [[Steven McDonald]], the [[Crack epidemic in the United States|crack cocaine epidemic]] and its related gangs, the [[Robert Chambers (criminal)|Robert Chambers]] "preppie murder" case, the [[Howard Beach incident]], and the racially motivated [[murder of Yusef Hawkins]].<ref name="New York City Back in the 1980s"/>

Koch consistently demonstrated a fierce love for New York City, which some observers felt he carried to extremes on occasion: in 1984, he went on record as opposing the creation of a second telephone [[area code]] for the city, claiming that this would divide the city's population; and when the [[National Football League]]'s [[New York Giants]] won [[Super Bowl XXI]] in January 1987, he refused to grant a permit for the team to hold their traditional victory parade in the city, quipping famously, "If they want a parade, let them parade in front of the oil drums in [[Moonachie]]" (a town in New Jersey adjacent to the [[East Rutherford, New Jersey|East Rutherford]] site of the [[Meadowlands Sports Complex]], where the Giants play their home games).
[[File:Edward Koch at commissioning of USS Lake Champlain (CG-57) cropped.jpg|thumb|left|Edward Koch at the commissioning of [[USS Lake Champlain (CG-57)|USS ''Lake Champlain'']] (1988)]]
In his third term, Koch's popularity was shaken after a series of corruption scandals, touched off by [[Donald Manes]]'s suicide and the Parking Violations Bureau scandal, which revealed that he had acceded to the requests of political allies (most notably Queens Borough President Manes, Bronx Democratic Party official [[Stanley M. Friedman]] and Brooklyn Democratic Party chairman [[Meade Esposito]], an [[American Mafia]] associate long perceived as New York City's preeminent political leader) to stack city agencies with patronage appointments. There were no allegations that Koch obtained any financial benefit from the corruption, but the scandals undermined Koch's claims that he ran a patronage-free municipal government. Michael Tager attributes the scandals not to Koch's failures but to the steadily declining power of the Democratic machine and its bosses' desperate efforts to reverse the collapse.<ref>Michael Tager, "Corruption And Party Machines in New York City", ''Corruption & Reform'' (1988) 3#1 pp 25–39</ref><ref>[[Jack Newfield|Newfield, Jack]] & [[Wayne Barrett|Barrett, Wayne]]. ''City For Sale: Ed Koch and the Betrayal of New York'', London: HarperCollins, 1989. {{ISBN|0-06-091662-1}}</ref>

In July 1987, Koch proposed banning bicycling on [[Fifth Avenue|Fifth]], [[Park Avenue|Park]] and [[Madison Avenue|Madison]] avenues during weekdays, but many bicyclists protested and had the ban overturned.<ref>{{cite web |last=Dunham |first=Mary Frances |url=http://www.transalt.org/files/resources/blueprint/features/parkandmad.html |website=Bicycle Blueprint |title=Fifth, Park and Madison |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304023623/http://www.transalt.org/files/resources/blueprint/features/parkandmad.html |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |access-date=March 28, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Yee |first=Marilynn K. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/08/25/nyregion/ban-on-bikes-could-bring-more-mopeds.html |title=Ban on Bikes Could Bring More Mopeds |website=The New York Times |date=August 25, 1987 |access-date=March 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090825124801/https://www.nytimes.com/1987/08/25/nyregion/ban-on-bikes-could-bring-more-mopeds.html |archive-date=August 25, 2009}}</ref>

[[File:Burgemeester Edward Koch van New York bezoekt Amsterdam burgemeester Van Thijn (, Bestanddeelnr 934-2885.jpg|thumb|Koch with [[Ed van Thijn]] on a visit to [[Amsterdam]] in 1988]]
It has been said that race relations in Koch's last years in office were poor.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://nymag.com/news/features/greatest-new-york/70474/ |date=Jan 17–24, 2011 |publisher=New York |title=How Would Dinkins Have Done, Had He Come After Giuliani?}}</ref> He became a controversial figure in the [[Democratic Party (United States) presidential primaries, 1988|1988 presidential campaign]] with his public criticism of Democratic candidate [[Jesse Jackson presidential campaign, 1988|Jesse Jackson]], who surprised many political observers by winning key primaries in March and running even with the front-runner, Massachusetts Governor [[Michael Dukakis]]. As the April New York primary approached, Koch reminded voters of Jackson's earlier [[Antisemitism|antisemitic]] statements, and said that Jews would be "crazy" to vote for Jackson. Koch endorsed Tennessee Senator [[Al Gore presidential campaign, 1988|Al Gore]], who had run well in his native South but hadn't won 20% in a northern state. As Koch's anti-Jackson rhetoric intensified, Gore seemed to shy away from Koch. On primary day, Gore finished a weak third with 10% of the vote and dropped out of the race. Jackson ran ten points behind Dukakis, whose nomination became assured after his New York win.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Taylor|first=Paul|date=April 20, 1988|title=DUKAKIS WINS N.Y. PRIMARY|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1988/04/20/dukakis-wins-ny-primary/b6294ae1-f5fd-4f8c-8f1f-25ededc01946/|access-date=February 9, 2022|newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref>

====Assessments====
A 1993 survey of historians, political scientists and urban experts conducted by Melvin G. Holli of the [[University of Illinois at Chicago]] ranked Koch as the 15th-worst American big-city mayor to have served between 1820 and 1993.<ref>{{Cite book | last = Holli | first = Melvin G. | title = The American Mayor | publisher = PSU Press | year = 1999 | location = University Park | url = https://archive.org/details/americanmayorbes0000holl | isbn = 0-271-01876-3 }}</ref> Other analyses rate his tenure more favorably.<ref>{{cite web |last=Roberts |first=Sam |date=September 17, 2010 |title=A New Look at Koch Elevates His Legacy |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/19/nyregion/19books.html |access-date=March 23, 2023 |website=New York Times}}</ref>

In the final chapter of ''Ed Koch and the Rebuilding of New York City'' (Columbia University Press, 2010), NYU history professor Jonathan Soffer wrote: "Koch faced challenges greater than any New York mayor of the 20th century and met many of them."  He added, "Koch bravely faced one of the worst crises in New York history, restructured the city with minimal help from the federal government and kept it solvent and growing for a generation." And Soffer concluded, "Koch's tireless personal lobbying campaign led to quite simply the greatest turnaround accomplished by any New York mayor in the twentieth century, including Fiorello La Guardia."<ref>{{Cite book |last=Soffer |first=Jonathan |title=Ed Koch and the Rebuilding of New York City |publisher=Columbia University Press |year=2012 |isbn=978-0-231-15033-0 |edition=Paperback |location=New York |pages=398–403}}</ref>

In ''[[The New York Times Book Review]]'', [[Sam Roberts (newspaper journalist)|Sam Roberts]], former city editor for the New York ''Daily News'' and urban affairs correspondent for ''The New York Times'', reconciled Holli's negative survey of 1993 with Soffer's analysis of 2010, writing, "Perhaps the survey was taken too soon, before Mr. Koch's legacy could be fully appreciated."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Roberts |first=Sam |date=2010-09-17 |title=A New Look at Koch Elevates His Legacy |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/19/nyregion/19books.html |access-date=2023-07-16 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

=== Post-mayoral years ===
[[File:2004 OSCE Anti-Semitism Conference photo op cropped.jpg|thumb|Koch and [[Colin Powell]] lead the US delegation for the 2004 [[Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe]] Conference on Anti-Semitism, held in Berlin, Germany (April 28, 2004)]]

In the years following his mayoralty, Koch became a partner in the law firm of [[Robinson, Silverman, Pearce, Aronsohn, and Berman]] LLP (now [[Bryan Cave]] LLP) and a commentator on politics, as well as reviewing movies and restaurants for newspapers, radio and television. He also became an adjunct professor at [[New York University]] (NYU) and the judge on ''[[The People's Court]]'' for two years (1997–99) following the retirement of [[Joseph Wapner|Judge Joseph Wapner]]. In 1999, he was a visiting professor at [[Brandeis University]]. Koch regularly appeared on the lecture circuit, and had a high-rated talk show on [[WABC (AM)|WABC]] radio. He also hosted his own online movie review show, ''The Mayor at the Movies''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mayorkoch.blip.tv/ |title=Mayor at the Movies with Ed Koch |publisher=Mayorkoch.blip.tv |access-date=May 12, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100401132552/http://mayorkoch.blip.tv/ |archive-date=April 1, 2010 }}</ref>

A street in southern [[Tel Aviv]] was named after Koch in an August 12, 1993, ceremony attended by him alongside prominent Israeli and American dignitaries.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jta.org/1993/08/16/archive/ed-koch-returns-to-israel-and-receives-heros-welcome|title=Ed Koch Returns to Israel and Receives Hero's Welcome|date=August 16, 1993}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ed+Koch,+Tel+Aviv-Yafo/@32.037484,34.7550143,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x1502b34b60a6552d:0xdc2ea1b7f6255f24!8m2!3d32.037484!4d34.757203|title=Ed Koch|website=Ed Koch}}</ref>

In 2004, together with his sister Pat (also Pauline)<ref name=Census /> Koch Thaler, Koch wrote a children's book, ''Eddie, Harold's Little Brother''; it tells the story of Koch's childhood, when he tried unsuccessfully to emulate his older brother Harold's baseball talents, before realizing that he should instead focus on what he was already good at, which was telling stories and speaking in public.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/ed-koch/eddie-harolds-little-brother/|title=EDDIE: HAROLD'S LITTLE BROTHER {{!}} Kirkus Reviews|language=en}}</ref>

The [[New York City Council]] voted to rename the [[Queensboro Bridge]] the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge on March 23, 2011.<ref name="KochBridge">{{cite news |first=Erin |last=Einhorn |title=Ed Koch Queensborough bridge: Span officially renamed in honor of former New York City mayor |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2011/03/23/2011-03-23_ed_koch_queensborough_bridge_span_officially_renamed_in_honor_of_former_mayor.html |work=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]] |location=New York |date=March 23, 2011 |access-date=March 23, 2011 |archive-date=March 25, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110325103955/http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2011/03/23/2011-03-23_ed_koch_queensborough_bridge_span_officially_renamed_in_honor_of_former_mayor.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Later, city councilman [[Peter Vallone]] introduced legislation banning the naming of New York City property after people who are still alive, but the legislation failed.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/07/11/councilman-peter-vallone-wants-to-ban-the-renaming-of-city-property-after-living-people/ |title=Councilman Peter Vallone Wants To Ban The Renaming of City Property After Living People |location=New York |work=CBS local |publisher=[[CBS Radio]] |date=July 11, 2012 |first=Rich |last=Lamb |access-date=February 2, 2013}}</ref>

Koch formed an organization called New York Uprising to push for statewide redistricting reform. In April 2011, he publicly upbraided 42 state legislators he claimed had broken their promises to support redistricting reform.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2011/04/koch_identifies_new_york_lawma.html|title=Ed Koch identifies New York lawmakers who reneged on redistricting reform plan|work=Syracuse.com|date=April 12, 2011|access-date=June 30, 2018}}</ref>

[[File:Koch – Mayor of the City of New York.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Portrait of Koch by [[Dmitry Borshch]], 2011]]

In May 2011, Koch sat for a portrait by [[Dmitry Borshch]] that has been exhibited at the [[Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences]], [[DePaul University]], [[Brecht Forum]], and [[The Graduate Center, CUNY|CUNY Graduate Center]], and is included in the [[Catalog of American Portraits]] at the Smithsonian's [[National Portrait Gallery (United States)|National Portrait Gallery]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://npg.si.edu/portraits|title=The Portraits|date=August 21, 2015|website=npg.si.edu}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://artstor.wordpress.com/2011/12/12/happy-birthday-to-mayor-ed-koch/ |title=ARTstor, Happy birthday to Mayor Ed Koch! |work=Artstor Blog |date=December 12, 2011 |access-date=October 15, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.artdiscover.com/en/artists/dmitry-borshch-id1822 |title=Russian American Cultural Center on ArtDiscover |access-date=October 15, 2014 |archive-date=October 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181008161945/http://www.artdiscover.com/en/artists/dmitry-borshch-id1822 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==== "Mayor at the Movies" ====
Koch began appearing in weekly movie review segments for an online show, ''Mayor at the Movies'', in the summer of 2009.<ref name="mayorkoch.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.mayorkoch.com/ |title=The Mayor at the Movies |publisher=Mayorkoch.com |access-date=May 12, 2014}}</ref> He was an avid moviegoer who often saw two or three movies a weekend. Although he was invited to private screenings, Koch preferred to see films with a public audience and was often approached by moviegoers who were surprised to find him there. His reviews were outspoken and wry, with his rating system consisting not of stars but of a "plus" for a good film or a "minus" for a bad one. He sought out great documentaries, and had a particular passion for anything of Jewish interest.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Remembering Ed Koch: "Mayor at the Movies"|url=https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Remembering-Ed-Koch---Mayor-at-the-Movies-.html?soid=1102727622960&aid=qiGqy_sw_c0|access-date=February 9, 2022|website=myemail.constantcontact.com}}</ref>

He had a particular passion for independent cinema and documentaries, but enjoyed dramas and action films as well. In addition to ''Mayor at the Movies'',<ref name="mayorkoch.com" /> his film reviews were regularly featured on ''[[The Huffington Post]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/ed-koch |title=Koch's page at ''The Huffington Post'' |work=The Huffington Post |access-date=May 12, 2014}}</ref> and in the New York newspaper ''[[The Villager (Manhattan)|The Villager]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thevillager.com/ |title=''The Villager'' homepage|publisher=thevillager.com |access-date=May 12, 2014}}</ref> Koch also appeared in more than 60 Hollywood films and television shows as himself, including ''[[Sex and the City]]'', ''[[Spin City]]'', ''[[Double Rush]]'', a brief cameo in "[[The Muppets Take Manhattan]]" and also hosted ''[[Saturday Night Live]]''.<ref>{{IMDb name|id=0462292|name=Ed Koch}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.tv.com/shows/double-rush/the-documentary-71764/cast/ |title=tv.com ''Double Rush'' "The Documentary" Episode Cast & Crew Accessed June 5, 2021 |access-date=June 7, 2021 |archive-date=June 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210608230151/http://www.tv.com/shows/double-rush/the-documentary-71764/cast/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> A documentary about his life, ''[[Koch (film)|Koch]]'', had its world premiere at the [[Hamptons International Film Festival]] on October 8, 2012, and was released theatrically on February 1, 2013 (coincidentally, the day of Koch's death).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kochthemovie.com |title=Koch |publisher=Zeitgeist Films}}</ref>

=== Political endorsements ===
After leaving office, Koch frequently endorsed prominent Republican candidates, including [[Rudy Giuliani]]<ref>{{Cite news|last=Manegold|first=Catherine S.|date=October 15, 1993|title=Assailing Dinkins, Koch Backs Giuliani|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/10/15/nyregion/assailing-dinkins-koch-backs-giuliani.html|access-date=February 9, 2022|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and [[Michael Bloomberg]]<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|last2=|first2=|last3=|first3=|date=November 2, 2001|title=Koch and Carey Endorse Bloomberg|url=https://nypost.com/2001/11/02/koch-and-carey-endorse-bloomberg/|access-date=February 9, 2022|website=New York Post|language=}}</ref> for mayor, [[Al D'Amato]] for [[U.S. Senate]], [[Peter T. King]] for [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. House]], [[George Pataki]]<ref>{{Cite web|date=March 20, 2000|title=Endorse is Endorse, of Course, of Course, Unless It's Mayor Ed|url=https://nypost.com/2000/03/20/endorse-is-endorse-of-course-of-course-unless-its-mayor-ed/|access-date=February 9, 2022|website=New York Post|language=en-US}}</ref> for governor, and, in 2004, [[George W. Bush]] for president.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sirota|first=David|date=February 4, 2013|title=When Ed Koch backed George Bush|url=https://www.salon.com/2013/02/03/when_ed_koch_backed_george_bush/|access-date=February 9, 2022|website=Salon|language=en}}</ref> Koch also endorsed Democrats, including [[Eliot Spitzer]] for governor in the 2006 election. He endorsed [[Bill Bradley]] for president in 2000.<ref>{{Cite web|date=March 6, 2000|title=Ed Koch Teaches the World His Bill Bradley Cheer|url=https://observer.com/2000/03/ed-koch-teaches-the-world-his-bill-bradley-cheer/|access-date=February 9, 2022|website=Observer|language=en-US}}</ref>

Koch took back his endorsement of Spitzer in the aftermath of the governor's [[Eliot Spitzer prostitution scandal|prostitution scandal]]. He said, "At the time the prostitution episode emerged, I commented that nothing could explain his behavior other than the fact that he had a screw loose in his head. Probably several."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.mayorkoch.com/home/2011/1/11/client-9-the-rise-and-fall-of-eliot-spitzer.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325055906/http://www.mayorkoch.com/home/2011/1/11/client-9-the-rise-and-fall-of-eliot-spitzer.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 25, 2012 |title=Client 9: The Rise and Fall of Eliot Spitzer |date=January 11, 2011 |publisher=The Mayor at the Movies }}</ref>

Though Koch supported Giuliani's first mayoral bid, he became opposed to him in January 1996, and began writing a series of columns in the New York ''[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]'' criticizing Giuliani, most frequently accusing him of being authoritarian and insensitive. In 1999, the columns were compiled into the book ''Giuliani: Nasty Man''. He resumed his attacks, and had the book republished, in 2007, after Giuliani announced his candidacy for president. In May 2007, Koch called Giuliani "a control freak" and said that "he wouldn't meet with people he didn't agree with. That's pretty crazy." He also said that Giuliani "was imbued with the thought that if he was right, it was like a God-given right. That's not what we need in a president."<ref>Seidman, David. "Railing at Rudy", ''[[New York Post]]'', May 13, 2007, p. 9.</ref>

Koch originally endorsed [[Hillary Clinton]] for president during the 2008 campaign,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Healy|first=Patrick|date=December 15, 2006|title=Lunch Menu: D'Amato, Koch, Clinton, '08|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/15/nyregion/15hillary.html|access-date=February 9, 2022|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> then endorsed Democratic nominee [[Barack Obama]] in the general election. In his endorsement of Obama, Koch wrote that he felt that (unlike in 2004) both candidates would do their best to protect both the United States and Israel from terrorist attacks, but that he agreed with Obama's domestic policies much more and that the idea of Republican vice-presidential nominee [[Sarah Palin]] ascending to the presidency "would scare me".<ref>{{cite web |last=Smith |first=Ben |url=https://www.politico.com/blogs/ben-smith/2008/09/koch-backs-obama-calls-palin-scary-011663 |title=Koch backs Obama, calls Palin 'scary' |website=Politico |date=September 9, 2008 |access-date=March 28, 2021}}</ref> In 2010, he rescinded his support for Obama, saying that Obama could very well harm [[Israel&nbsp;– United States relations|American–Israeli relations]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/koch-outraged-by-obamas-treatment-of-israel-over-housing-construction/ |title=Koch Outraged By Obama's Treatment of Israel Over Housing Construction |website=[[Fox News]] |date=April 1, 2010 |access-date=March 28, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150724004215/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/04/01/koch-outraged-obamas-treatment-israel-housing-construction/-world/ |archive-date=July 24, 2015}}</ref>

Koch endorsed Republican [[Bob Turner (New York politician)|Bob Turner]] for Congress in 2011 because he "wanted to send a message to Obama to take a stronger position in support of Israel."<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The Jewish Daily Forward |url=http://www.forward.com/articles/142999/ |title=Koch Takes a Victory Lap on N.Y. Congressional Race |first=Nathan |last=Guttman |date=September 16, 2011}}</ref>

In October 2012, Koch told [[Al Sharpton]] that after a conversation with Obama about his position on Israel he was satisfied, and endorsed his reelection.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mediaite.com/tv/ed-koch-tells-al-sharpton-hes-back-on-board-the-bus-with-president-obama |title=Ed Koch Tells Al Sharpton He's 'Back On Board The Bus' With President Obama |last=Christopher |first=Tommy |website=[[Mediaite]] |date=October 13, 2012 |access-date=March 28, 2021}}</ref>

Early in 2013, Koch endorsed [[Christine Quinn]] in the Democratic primary for that year's [[New York Mayoral Election, 2013|mayoral election]].<ref>{{cite web |first=Michael M. |last=Grynbaum |date=February 9, 2013 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/19/nyregion/an-endorsement-hard-to-pass-up-and-harder-to-promote.html |title=An Endorsement Hard to Pass Up, and Harder to Promote |website=The New York Times |access-date=March 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130219172730/https://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/19/nyregion/an-endorsement-hard-to-pass-up-and-harder-to-promote.html |archive-date=February 19, 2013}}</ref>

=== Other political statements ===
Koch often wrote in defense of Israel and against antisemitism. He also appeared in the documentary ''[[FahrenHYPE 9/11]]'' defending President Bush and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and blasting [[Michael Moore]]. Koch was quoted in the film saying of Moore's film ''[[Fahrenheit 9/11]]'', "It's not a documentary, it's a lie."

Koch praised New York Governor [[Andrew Cuomo]], saying that he had the right approach in reducing government spending and refraining from raising taxes.<ref name=reason>{{cite web |url=http://reason.com/blog/2011/06/29/reasontv-mayor-ed-koch-on-rent |title=Reason.tv: Mayor Ed Koch on rent control, his sexuality, Andrew Cuomo, and how he helped save New York |work=[[Reason (magazine)|Reason]] |date=June 29, 2011}}</ref>

Koch was an early supporter of the [[Iraq War]]. In July 2007, Koch wrote that he was "bailing out" of his previous support for that war, due to the failure of the United States' [[NATO]] allies, and other [[Arab]] countries, to contribute to the war effort. Koch wrote, "I would support our troops remaining in Iraq if our allies were to join us. But they have made it clear they will not." He added that the U.S. must still "prepare for the battles that will take place on American soil by the Islamic forces of terror who are engaged in a war that will be waged by them against Western civilization for at least the next 30 years."<ref>{{cite web |last=Koch |first=Ed |url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2007/07/im_bailing_on_iraq.html |title=I'm Done Defending the Iraq Policy |website=[[RealClearPolitics]] |date=July 18, 2007 |access-date=March 28, 2021}}</ref>

On April 8, 2010, Koch wrote a piece in ''[[The Jerusalem Post]]'' excoriating what he saw as increasing [[anti-Catholicism]] in the media, largely made evident by coverage of the priest sex abuse scandals. While denouncing the abuse, Koch wrote, "the procession of articles on the same events are, in my opinion, no longer intended to inform, but simply to castigate." He also wrote that he believed that many in the media, some themselves Catholic, exhibited such anti-Catholicism largely because of their opposition to the Catholic Church's teachings on such issues as abortion, homosexuality, and artificial contraception. He stated that, while he opposed the Church's teaching in all these matters, he firmly believed that the Church had the right to espouse these beliefs and to expect its members to espouse them as well, calling the Church "a force for good in the world, not evil."<ref>{{Cite web|title=A dangerous silence|url=https://www.jpost.com/opinion/op-ed-contributors/a-dangerous-silence|access-date=February 9, 2022|website=[[The Jerusalem Post]]|date=April 14, 2010 |language=en-US |issn=0792-822X}}</ref>

== Wit ==
A practiced public speaker since his days stumping for [[Adlai Stevenson II|Adlai Stevenson]], Koch was well known for his quips and [[One-line joke|one-liners]].<ref name="NYMag">{{cite news |author=Joe Coscarelli |date=February 1, 2013 |title=The Quotable Ed Koch: Wit, Wisdom, and One-Liners |url=https://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2013/02/ed-koch-quotes-wit-wisdom-one-liners.html |work=New York}}</ref> A few include:
* (On the occasion of his primary loss to David Dinkins) "The people have spoken&nbsp;... and they must be punished."<ref name="NYMag" />
* "I'm the sort of person who will never [[Stress ulcer|get ulcers]]. Why? Because I say exactly what I think. I'm the sort of person who might give other people ulcers."<ref name="NYMag" />
* "If you agree with me on nine out of 12 issues, vote for me. If you agree with me on 12 out of 12 issues, see a psychiatrist."<ref name="NYMag" />

== Personal life ==
[[File:Washington Square Arch-Isabella.jpg|thumb|right|Prior to his death, Koch lived in an apartment at 2 [[Fifth Avenue]] (the high-rise building to the left of the [[Washington Square Arch]], as seen in the background of a 2016 image of [[Washington Square Park]]).]]
Koch was a resident of [[Greenwich Village]] for most of his adult life. At the time of his death, he lived at 2 Fifth Avenue, overlooking [[Washington Square Park]].<ref name="Andrew Berman">{{cite news|url=https://gvshp.org/blog/2013/02/01/ed-koch-1924-2013-and-the-village/|title=Ed Koch (1924–2013) and the Village|last1=Bermsn|first1=Andrew|date=February 1, 2013|access-date=March 12, 2019|publisher=Off the Grid}}</ref>

===Sexuality===
Koch never married, and rumors about his [[sexual orientation]] became an issue in the 1977 mayoral election with the appearance of placards and posters (disavowed by the [[Mario Cuomo|Cuomo]] campaign) with the slogan "Vote for Cuomo, Not the Homo." Koch denounced the attack.<ref>{{cite news |title=Koch Lets Hair Down in Biography Mayor |first=Margot |last=Hornblower |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=February 2, 1984 |page=A3 |id={{ProQuest|138384352}} }}</ref>

In 1989, Koch was interviewed about a book he had coauthored with Cardinal [[John Joseph O'Connor (cardinal)|John J. O'Connor]]. When the interviewer asked Koch to clarify his views on homosexuality relative to O'Connor, Koch responded, "I happen to believe that there's nothing wrong with homosexuality. It's whatever God made you. It happens that I'm a heterosexual."<ref>{{cite news |title=Mayor Koch: 'I'm a Heterosexual' |work=Associated Press News |date=March 16, 1989 |publisher=AP News Archive |url=https://apnews.com/a2878d372adbfd2c50331ea6ed62d74d}}</ref> He once told ''[[New York (magazine)|New York]]'' magazine, "Listen, there's no question that some New Yorkers think I'm gay, and voted for me nevertheless. The vast majority don't care, and others don't think I am. And I don't give a shit either way!"<ref name = NYT22/><ref name="CNNKochobit">{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/01/us/ed-koch-obit/|title=New York's brash former mayor, Ed Koch, dies at 88|last=Almasy|first=Steve|date=March 7, 2013|work=[[CNN]]|access-date=June 4, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2013/02/ed-koch-quotes-wit-wisdom-one-liners.html |title=The Quotable Ed Koch: Wit, Wisdom, and One-Liners |website=[[New York (magazine)|New York]] |last=Joscarelli |first=Joe |date=February 1, 2013 |access-date=March 28, 2021}}</ref> He was frequently accompanied at political functions by his friend [[Bess Myerson]],<ref name="Dillon">{{cite news |last1=Dillon |first1=Nancy |title=Ed Koch's pal, former Miss America Bess Myerson, was a constant at his side |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/koch-pal-myerson-constant-side-article-1.1253714 |access-date=31 May 2023 |work=New York Daily News |date=2 February 2013}}</ref> who also acted as co-chair of his 1977 election campaign.<ref name="Berman">{{cite news |last1=Berman |first1=Susan |title=Bess Myerson Is One Tough Customer -- New York Magazine - Nymag |url=https://nymag.com/news/politics/49908/ |access-date=31 May 2023 |work=New York Magazine |date=3 September 2008 |language=en-us}}</ref>

In a 2022 article, ''[[The New York Times]]'' confirmed Koch's homosexuality, based on interviews with close confidants. The ''Times'' reported that Koch disclosed his sexuality only to friends who were also gay, and was only known to have had one long-term relationship, with health care consultant Richard W. Nathan. Koch quickly ended the relationship after being elected mayor. In the 1980s, activist and writer [[Larry Kramer]], who was critical of Koch's handling of the [[HIV/AIDS in the United States|AIDS epidemic]], unsuccessfully attempted to [[outing|out]] him after learning of the relationship with Nathan. This influenced Koch's insistence on remaining closeted for the rest of his life, as he did not "want to give activists like Mr.&nbsp;Kramer the satisfaction of seeing him come out, after they had tried so hard to see him outed".<ref name = NYT22 />

=== Health, death, and funeral ===
Koch had a mild stroke in 1987, but was able to resume his duties as mayor within about a week.<ref name = NYT22/><ref>{{cite news|url = https://www.nytimes.com/1987/08/08/nyregion/koch-experienced-a-trivial-stroke-new-tests-show.html|title = Koch Experienced a 'Trivial' Stroke, New Tests Show|date = August 8, 1987|last = Finder|first = Alan|accessdate = May 8, 2022|page = 1|newspaper = The New York Times |url-access = limited}}</ref> A former spokesman later suggested that the anxiety Koch experienced from efforts to out him during that period caused a decline in his health, which could have contributed to the stroke.<ref name = NYT22 />

After his mayoralty, Koch experienced further health problems, particularly heart issues, and was frequently hospitalized in the final months of his life.<ref name = McFadden>{{cite news|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/02/nyregion/edward-i-koch-ex-mayor-of-new-york-dies.html|title = Edward I. Koch, a Mayor as Brash, Shrewd and Colorful as the City He Led, Dies at 88|page = A1|date = February 2, 2013|accessdate = May 7, 2022|newspaper = The New York Times |last = McFadden|first = Robert D.|url-access = limited}}</ref><ref name="BBC death">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-21292317 |title=New York Former Mayor Ed Koch dies at 88 |work=[[BBC News]] |date=February 1, 2013 |access-date=February 1, 2013}}</ref> On January 31, 2013, he was admitted to [[Columbia University Irving Medical Center]] in Manhattan due to fatigue, where he died from heart failure at 2 a.m. the next day, aged 88.<ref name="CNNKochobit" /><ref name = McFadden/> His funeral took place on February 4, 2013, at [[Congregation Emanu-El of New York|Temple Emanu-El]], a [[Reform Judaism|Reform Jewish]] congregation in Manhattan.<ref name=hufpo130213>{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/04/ed-koch-funeral-bill-clinton-bloomberg_n_2615624.html|title=Ed Koch Funeral: Clinton, Bloomberg Speak At Service For Former NYC Mayor |author=Jim Fitzgerald|work=The Huffington Post|date=February 4, 2013|access-date=July 7, 2015}}</ref> Former president [[Bill Clinton]] addressed the congregation, serving as President Obama's representative. Other speakers included then-mayor Michael Bloomberg. [[New York City Police Department]] helicopters gave a fly-over at the service.<ref>{{cite news|author=Deepti Hajela|agency=Associated Press |url=http://www.startribune.com/nation/189348711.html |title=With death of legendary New York City mayor, Koch tributes pour in; funeral set for Monday |work=Star Tribune|location=Minneapolis|date=February 3, 2013 |access-date=May 12, 2014}}</ref><ref name=hufpo130213/>

Koch purchased a burial plot in [[Trinity Church Cemetery]] in April 2008 so that he could be buried in Manhattan. It is the only graveyard in the borough that accepts new burials. He chose to put the last words of the late journalist [[Daniel Pearl]] on his tombstone: "My father is Jewish, my mother is Jewish, I am Jewish."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2013/02/04/new-york-mayor-ed-koch-laid-to-rest-in-trinity-plot/|title=Former New York Mayor Ed Koch laid to rest in Trinity plot|author=Mary Frances Schjonberg|date=February 4, 2013|work=Episcopal News Service|access-date=July 7, 2015|archive-date=July 8, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150708030808/http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2013/02/04/new-york-mayor-ed-koch-laid-to-rest-in-trinity-plot/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Works ==
* Koch, Edward I. (1980). ''The Mandate Millstone''. US Conference of Mayors. {{OCLC|040152378}}. {{ASIN|B00072XPA8}}
* {{cite journal |url=http://www.nationalaffairs.com/public_interest/detail/the-mandate-millstone |title=The mandate millstone |journal=National Affairs |issue=61 |year=1980 |last=Koch |first=Edward I.}}
* {{cite book |author=Koch, Ed |title=How'm I Doing?: The Wit and Wisdom of Ed Koch |publisher=Lion Books |location=New York |year=1981 |isbn=0-87460-362-5 }}
* {{cite book|author1=Rauch, William |author2=Koch, Ed |title=Mayor |publisher=Simon and Schuster |location=New York |year=1984 |isbn=0-671-49536-4 |url=https://archive.org/details/mayor00koch }}
* {{cite book|author1=Rauch, William |author2=Koch, Ed |title=Politics |publisher=Simon & Schuster |location=New York |year=1985 |isbn=0-671-53296-0 |url=https://archive.org/details/politics00edko }}
* {{cite book|author1=Koch, Ed |author2=O'Connor, John Joseph |title=His Eminence and Hizzoner: A Candid Exchange |publisher=Morrow |location=New York |year=1989 |isbn=0-688-07928-8 |url=https://archive.org/details/hiseminencehizzo00ocon }}
* {{cite book|author1=Jones, Leland T. |author2=Koch, Ed |title=All the Best: Letters from a Feisty Mayor |publisher=Simon and Schuster |location=New York |year=1990 |isbn=0-671-69365-4 |url=https://archive.org/details/allbestlettersfr00koch }}
* {{cite book|author1=Paisner, Daniel |author2=Koch, Ed |title=Citizen Koch: An Autobiography |publisher=St. Martin's Press |location=New York |year=1992 |isbn=0-312-08161-8 |url=https://archive.org/details/citizenkochautob00koch }}
* {{cite book|author=Koch, Ed |title=Ed Koch on Everything: Movies, Politics, Personalities, Food, and Other Stuff |publisher=Carol Publishing Corporation |year=1994 |isbn=1-55972-225-8 |url=https://archive.org/details/edkochoneverythi00edko }}
* {{cite book|author1=Resnicow, Herbert |author2=Koch, Ed |title=Murder at City Hall |publisher=Kensington Books |location=New York |year=1995 |isbn=0-8217-5087-9 |url=https://archive.org/details/murderatcityhall00koch }}
* {{cite book |author=Koch, Edward I. |title=Murder on Broadway |publisher=Kensington |location=New York |year=1997 |isbn=1-57566-186-1 }}
* {{cite book|author=Koch, Ed |title=Murder on 34th Street |publisher=Kensington |location=New York |year=1997 |isbn=1-57566-232-9 |url=https://archive.org/details/murderon34thstre00koch }}
* {{cite book |author=Koch, Ed |title=The Senator Must Die |publisher=Kensington |location=New York |year=1998 |isbn=1-57566-325-2 }}
* {{cite book|author=Koch, Ed |title=Giuliani: Nasty Man |publisher=Barricade Books |location=New York |year=1999 |isbn=1-56980-155-X |url=https://archive.org/details/giulianinastyman0000koch }}
* {{cite book |author1=Graham, Stephen |author2=Koch, Ed |title=New York: A State of Mind (Urban Tapestry Series) |publisher=Towery Pub |year=1999 |isbn=1-881096-76-9 }}
* {{cite book |author1=Paisner, Daniel |author2=Koch, Ed |title=I'm Not Done Yet!: Keeping at It, Remaining Relevant, and Having the Time of My Life |publisher=William Morrow |location=New York |year=2000 |isbn=0-688-17075-7 }}
* {{cite book|author1=Warhola, James |author2=Thaler, Pat Koch |author3=Koch, Ed |author4=Koch, Edward D. |title=Eddie: Harold's Little Brother |publisher=G. P. Putnam's sons |location=New York |year=2004 |isbn=0-399-24210-4 |url=https://archive.org/details/eddieharoldslitt00koch }}
* {{cite book |author1=Heady, Christy |author2=Koch, Edward D. |author3=Koch, Ed |title=Buzz: How to Create It and Win With It |publisher=American Management Association |location=New York, N.Y |year=2007 |isbn=978-0-8144-7462-4 }}

== See also ==
* [[List of LGBT people from New York City]]
* [[List of Jewish members of the United States Congress]]
* [[List of mayors of New York City]]
* [[Timeline of New York City#1950s–1970s|Timeline of New York City]], 1970s–1980s

== References ==

=== Notes ===
{{notelist}}
{{Reflist|30em}}

=== Primary sources ===
* Koch, Edward, and Daniel Paisner. ''Citizen Koch: an autobiography'' (St. Martin's Press, 1992).
* Koch, Ed. ''The Koch Papers: My Fight Against Anti-Semitism'' (Macmillan, 2008).

== Further reading ==
* Goodwin, Michael, ed. ''New York Comes Back: The Mayoralty of Edward I. Koch'', powerHouse Books, 2005. {{ISBN|1-57687-274-2}}.
* Harrington, Michael. "When Ed Koch Was Still a Liberal". ''Dissent'' (1987): 595–602. [https://web.archive.org/web/20141129113432/http://twileshare.com/uploads/EdKoch_Harrington.pdf online]
* Mollenkopf, John H. ''A Phoenix in the Ashes: The Rise and Fall of the Koch Coalition in New York City Politics''. Princeton University Press, 1994.
* [[Jack Newfield|Newfield, Jack]] and [[Wayne Barrett|Barrett, Wayne]]. ''City For Sale: Ed Koch and the Betrayal of New York'', London: HarperCollins, 1989. {{ISBN|0-06-091662-1}}.
* Soffer, Jonathan. ''Ed Koch and the Rebuilding of New York City'' (Columbia University Press; 2010) 494 pages.
* Thompson, J. Phillip. "David Dinkins' victory in New York City: The decline of the Democratic Party organization and the strengthening of black politics".  ''PS: Political Science & Politics'' (1990) 23#2 pp.&nbsp;145–148.
* [[Paterson, David]] ''[[Black, Blind, & In Charge: A Story of Visionary Leadership and Overcoming Adversity]]''. Skyhorse Publishing. New York City, 2020

== External links ==
<!-- Per [[WP:ELMINOFFICIAL]], choose one official website only -->
{{Commons category|Ed Koch}}
{{Wikiquote}}
{{CongBio|K000302}}
* {{twitter|mayoredkoch}}
* {{C-SPAN|704}}
* {{IMDb name|0462292}}
* {{find a Grave|104469916}}
* {{Charlie Rose view|2532}}

===Interviews===
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110717030641/http://www.ushmm.org/museum/exhibit/focus/antisemitism/voices/transcript/?content=20110505 ''Voices on Antisemitism'' Interview with Edward Koch] from the [[United States Holocaust Memorial Museum|U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum]]
* {{Internet Archive film clip|id=openmind_ep744|description="The Open Mind&nbsp;– A Winter's Tale&nbsp;– and More (1988)"}}
* [http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2010/03/23/the_trust_is_gone_it_will_never_again_be_the_same_104874.html The Trust Is Gone] Opinion piece by Koch, critical of current administration's relationship with Israel
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120515230153/http://www.nyc.gov/html/nycmg/nyctvod/html/home/db_edkoch.html Interview with Ed Koch: On the 1988 Tompkins Square Park Riots]
* [http://dc.lib.jjay.cuny.edu/index.php/Detail/Object/Show/object_id/1 Oral history interview with Ed Koch (2008) from ''Justice in New York: An Oral History'' (full transcript and audio clips)]

=== News collections ===
* {{NYTtopic|people/k/edward_i_koch}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160303231208/http://www.bloomberg.com/tvradio/podcast/ed_koch.xml Podcasts of Ed Koch commentaries] at [[Bloomberg.com]]

=== Archives ===
* [http://www.laguardiawagnerarchive.lagcc.cuny.edu/COLLECTIONS.aspx?ViwType=1&ColID=8 Edward I. Koch Collection] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120808120936/http://www.laguardiawagnerarchive.lagcc.cuny.edu/COLLECTIONS.aspx?ViwType=1&ColID=8 |date=August 8, 2012 }} of [[La Guardia and Wagner Archives]]&nbsp;– Koch's mayoral records as well as personal papers and photographs
* [http://www.columbia.edu/cu/lweb/digital/collections/nny/koche/index.html Notable New Yorkers&nbsp;– Edward I. Koch] Biography, photographs, and interviews of Ed Koch from the Notable New Yorkers collection of the Oral History Research Office at Columbia University.
* [http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB112/ Ed Koch Threatened with Assassination in 1976] from the National Security Archive (with archival documents)
* [https://vault.fbi.gov/edward-irving-ed-koch FBI Records: The Vault – Edward Erving "Ed" Koch] at fbi.gov

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{{Mayors of New York City}}
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[[Category:1924 births]]
[[Category:2013 deaths]]
[[Category:20th-century American memoirists]]
[[Category:20th-century American male writers]]
[[Category:20th-century American LGBTQ people]]
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[[Category:21st-century American LGBTQ people]]
[[Category:20th-century American Jews]]
[[Category:21st-century American Jews]]
[[Category:20th-century American lawyers]]
[[Category:20th-century mayors of places in New York (state)]]
[[Category:20th-century New York (state) politicians]]
[[Category:20th-century United States representatives]]
[[Category:American film critics]]
[[Category:American gay writers]]
[[Category:American people of Polish-Jewish descent]]
[[Category:American people of Ukrainian-Jewish descent]]
[[Category:American politicians of Polish descent]]
[[Category:American politicians of Ukrainian descent]]
[[Category:Burials at Trinity Church Cemetery]]
[[Category:Candidates in the 1982 United States elections]]
[[Category:Deaths from congestive heart failure in New York (state)]]
[[Category:Democratic Party members of the United States House of Representatives from New York (state)]]
[[Category:American gay politicians]]
[[Category:Gay military personnel]]
[[Category:Jewish American military personnel]]
[[Category:Jewish American people in New York City politics]]
[[Category:Jewish American mayors]]
[[Category:Jewish United States representatives]]
[[Category:American LGBTQ city council members]]
[[Category:Gay Jews]]
[[Category:American LGBTQ lawyers]]
[[Category:LGBTQ mayors of places in the United States]]
[[Category:LGBTQ members of the United States Congress]]
[[Category:Gay memoirists]]
[[Category:LGBTQ people from New York (state)]]
[[Category:Lawyers from New York City]]
[[Category:Malcolm X Shabazz High School alumni]]
[[Category:Mayors of New York City]]
[[Category:New York City Council members]]
[[Category:New York Press people]]
[[Category:New York University School of Law alumni]]
[[Category:New York University faculty]]
[[Category:Operation Condor]]
[[Category:People from Greenwich Village]]
[[Category:People of Galician-Jewish descent]]
[[Category:Politicians from Newark, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Politicians from the Bronx]]
[[Category:Recycling in New York City]]
[[Category:Television judges]]
[[Category:United States Army non-commissioned officers]]
[[Category:United States Army personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:Writers from Manhattan]]
[[Category:American Zionists]]
[[Category:Jews from New York (state)]]
[[Category:LGBTQ media critics]]